Portable heater



Jan. 23, 1968 c. E. WOOLLEN, JR 3,354,917

PORTABLE HEATER Filed Sept. 27, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. HARLES E. WOOLLEN, JR.

FIG.1

Jan. 23, 1968 c. E. WOOLLEN, JR 3,354,917

PORTABLE HEATER Filed Sept. 2'7, 1966 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY RLES E. WOOLLEN, JR.

Jan. 23, 1968 c. E. WOOLLEN. JR 3,364,917

PORTABLE HEATER Filed Sept. 27, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. HARLES E. WO0LLEN,JR.

United States Patent OfiFice 3,354,917 Patented Jan. 23, 1968 3,364,917 PORTABLE HEATER Charles E. Woollen, Jr., Rosemont, Pa., assignor to John Wood Company, East Orange, N.J., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 27, 1966, Ser. No. 582,376 Claims. (Cl. 126110) My invention relates to a portable heater which is particularly adapted for farm use, such as in housing for livestock, etc.

One feature of my invention is that the combustion chamber of the heater provides heated air at the outlet of the heater, which heated air cannot be contaminated by the products of combustion from the combustion chamber.

Another feature of my invention is that my improved construction eliminates the possibility of odors in the heated air flowing from the outlet of the heater, such as, for example, smoke odor in the event of improper combustion of the fuel being used.

Another feature of my invention is that it may be used in a livestock housing, etc. as the exhaust from the combustion chamber is carried to the outside air, and, hence, eliminates any possibility of the consumption of the oxygen within the livestock housing, etc.

Another feature of my invention is that the combustion chamber of the heat exchanger is formed with a series of spaced apart larger diameter rings, or bafiies, which provide for maximum heat exchange as the air to be heated passes over the outer surface of the combustion chamber heat exchanger, said bafiles, or rings, being arranged in such a manner as to provide maximum heat exchange to the air passing over the heat exchanger.

Another feature of my invention is that the rings, or baffles, force the hot gases resulting from combustion in the combustion chamber to a surface common to both the gases and to the air which is to be heated, to wit, the gases on one side of the surface and air on the other side.

Another feature of my invention is that such baffies, or rings, cause turbulation of the gases from combustion, so that they are maintained in a thoroughly mixed condition and relatively even temperature. It is noted that without the baffle means of my improved construction, stratification of the gases would occur which would result in the temperature of the gases near the heat exchange surface being low and the temperature of the gases near the combustion chamber being high, which would materially reduce the heat exchange between the gases and the air to be heated.

Another feature of my invention is that such turbulation of the gases from combustion causes them to wipe the surface of the combustion chamber which has flames from the burner on the inside. Such process allows the combustion chamber to operate at a lower temperature and insures a longer life for such combustion chamber. It is to be noted that without the baffle means, a hot layer of gas would be adjacent to the combustion chamber walls, and tend to minimize the combustion.

Another feature of my invention is that when the combustion chamber is provided with bafiies, or rings, the gases are prevented from exiting from the combustion chamber enclosure in a direct path. Hence, it is assured that the entire surface of the heat exchanger to the air is being wiped by hot gases on its inside surface. In other words, cold spots are eliminated, and my improved construction insures full utilization of the hot gases of combustion to heat the heat exchanger surface and, hence, provides for maximum heat exchange to the air to be heated.

Another feature of my invention is that my improved heat exchanger is of a low cost construction, as it eliminates the need for any secondary heat transfer surface, and provides a heat exchanger which is comparable in efficiency to a heat exchanger which would include a secondary heat transfer surface.

My invention includes the various novel features of construction and arrangement as hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In said drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a portable heater embodying my invention.

FIG. 2 is an end elevation, partly in section, of a structure shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view showing the connections from the transformer to the igniter elements for the burner element for the heater.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a modified form of a portable heater embodying my invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, inclusive, the supply tank 1 for the supply of fuel for the burner is rigidly mounted at its rearward end on the U-shaped supporting bracket 2. The axle means 3 is rigidly connected to the opposite downwardly extending arms 4 of the bracket member 2. Wheels 5 are rotatably mounted on the axle 3 and are prevented from axial displacement thereon by any well-known means, such as by the nut means 6. The forward end of the supply tank 1 is provided with a handle member 8, the opposite upright arms 9 thereof being rigidly connected to the tank 1 by any convenient means. The supporting arms 9 are so connected to the tank 1 that when the bottom portion of the handle member 8 is in engagement with a floor, etc., the tank 1 will be in a substantially horizontal position, with the rearward end supported by the wheels 5 and the forward end supported by the member 8, as best indicated in FIG. 2. The upper end of the member 8 is of U-shaped configuration, and extends above the upper portion of the heater per so, as indicated at 10 in FIG. 1. The rearward portion of the heater is provided with a U-shaped handle member 12, the lower ends 13 of which are pivotally mounted on the respective opposite outer ends of the axle member 3, as best shown in FIG. 2.

When it isdesired to move the portable heater, the operator will pull back downwardly on the handle member 12 at the rear of the heater, or manually lift up the forward end of the heater, to move the forward member 8 from contact with the floor. The portable heater may then be facilely moved on the wheels 5 while being supported in counterbalanced position on the axle 3 to any desired location, and then permitted to rest securely on the floor by permitting the forward supporting member 8 to come into contact therewith.

The portable heater indicated generally by the reference mark 15 includes an outer shell 16 which is rigidly mounted above the tank 1 by any convenient means, such as by plurality of bolts 17. The outer shell 16 is provided at its rearward end with a plate member 20 rigidly connected to the outer shell member 16. The forward end of the heater 15 is provided with a truncated cone portion 21 conveniently rigidly connected by welding to the forward end of the outer shell 16. The truncated cone portion 21 has an heated air outlet opening 22.

The firing head assembly includes the member 24 which is rigidly connected to the rearward closure plate 25 for the inner shell member 26, within and in spaced relation to said outer shell 16, and the forward end of said member 26 is closed by the member 27. The closure plate 25 also forms a rearward closure for the combustion shell member 39, within and in spaced relation to said inner shell member 26. An opening 31 is formed in plate 25 and through which the oil burner nozzle 32 projects, as best shown in FIG. 1.

The oil burner nozzle 32 indicated in FIG. 1 is of the aspirator type and includes a connection to the fuel tube 34 which depends through an opening formed on the top of the fuel tank 1 to the lower end of said tank 1. The lowermost end of the tube 34 is provided with the customary screen member 35. The aspirator type burner nozzle 32 includes an air inlet pipe 37 which is connected to the compressor 38. The compressor 38 shown in the drawing is of the well-known type such as is used for paint spray apparatus, and which is adapted to be driven by an electric motor, not shown, in the well-known manner. Said electric motor is provided with a take-off shaft 40 which is operatively connected to the fan blower indicated diagrammatically at 41, in FIG. 2. The blower $1 forces the air to be heated through the space between the inside surface of the outer shell 16 and the outside surface of the inner shell 26. The fuel supply tank 1 is provided at its upper end with a fill opening 43, which is provided with a closure cap 45. a

The nozzle 32 is positioned with its forward end in the combustion chamber 30 at the rear thereof, the forward end of the nozzle extending but a short distance through the opening 31. The oil and air mixture flowing through the usual opening in the nozzle 32 is adapted to be ignited by means of the ignitors 47, one of which is shown in FIG. 1, and both of which are shown in FIG. 3. The ignitors are adapted to be connected by suitable electrical wiring to the terminals 51 of the transformer 52. The transformer is connected by suitable wiring 53 having a removable plug 54 at the distal end thereof to a source of electrical supply. The wiring 53 is also connected by the wiring 55 to the motor used to drive the compressor 38 and the blower 41. Suitable switch means (not shown) of any of the well-known constructions is adapted to control the electrical circuit to the transformer 52 and ignitor elements 47, and to the motor riving the compressor 38 and the fan 41.

The combustion chamber 30 has rigidly mounted on its exterior surface a series of spaced-apart rings, or bafiies 69, which are conveniently provided with flange portions 61 for conveniently mounting said rings or bafiies on the exterior of the combustion chamber 30. The baffles 61) extend into the annular space between the outer surface of the combustion chamber 30 and the inner surface of the inner shell member 26. The inner shell member 26 is provided with a flanged opening 62 in which is mounted in fluid-tight relationship an exhaust pipe member 63 which projects in fluid-tight relationship through a flanged opening 65 at the rearward end of the outer shell 16. The exhaust pipe member 63 may be connected by suitable piping to the outer atmosphere.

Air under pressure from the blower member 41 flows around the annular space between the outer side of the inner shell 26 and the inner surface of the outer shell member 16, where, when the burner 32 is operating, it is heated by heat exchange from the inner Shell 26 and passes to the left, in FIG. 1, to the truncated cone portion 21 and through the outlet 22.

Referring to the modified form of my invention shown in FIG. 4; the construction shown is very similar to the shown in FIG. 1 and includes the fuel tank 161 connected at its forward end to a handle member 1 38, and at its rearward end to the U-shaped handle member 112, arm ends 113 of which are pivotally mounted on the axle member 103. Oppositely spaced wheels 105, only one of which is shown in FIG. 4, are mounted on the respective outer ends of the axle member 103.

The portable heater includes an outer shell member 116 and an inner shell member 126. The inner shell member 126 is closed at its rearward end by a plate member 125 which has an axial opening therethrough and through which the aspirator nozzle 132 extends into the combustion chamber 130. The combustion chamber 130 is provided with a series of curved bafiie members 161) which may be formed as separate bands, or which may be 4 formed by expanding the hollow shell into the configuration shown as the spaced apart bafiie members 160. The inner shell 126 is closed at its forward end by the member 127.

The outer shell 116 is provided with a somewhat truncated portion 121 and an open heated air outlet 122. The transformer 152 is connected by suitable wiring 153 having a connection plug 154 at the distal end thereof for connection to a suitable source of electric supply. The transformer 152 is connected by wiring to the ignitors 14-7, one of which is shown, for the aspirator burner nozzle 132.

The compressor 138, similar to the compressor 38 shown in FIG. 1, is connected by suitable piping 137 to the rearward end of the aspirator burner nozzle 132. The fuel from the tank 161 is withdrawn from the fuel tank 191 through the pipe 134 to the aspirator nozzle 132. The conduit 153 is also connected by suitable wiring connections to a motor Within the housing 156, positioned therein in proximity to the openings 157. The motor is connected by a suitable take-off shaft 140 to a blower within the housing 141 similar to the blower 41 indicated in FIG. 2. The blower forces air to beheated between the outer surface of the inner shell 126 and the inner surface of the outer shell 116.

The inner shell 126 is provided with a flanged opening 162 in which is positioned in fluid-tight relationship the exhaust pipe 163. The exhaust pipe 163 extends in fluidtight relationship through a flanged opening 165 formed in the outer housing 116. The exhaust pipe 163 may be connected by suitable piping to the outer atmosphere.

OPERATION My improved portable heater may be moved readily to any desired location by the operator pulling backwardly and downwardly on the rearward handle member 12, or lifting upwardly on the front of the portable heater, so that the portable heater is in counterbalanced position on the wheels 5 0n the axle 3. When moved to the location desired, the portable heater is lowered until the forward member 3 is in contact with the floor, and the portable heater will remain stationary in the desired location supported on the forward member 8 and the wheels 5 When it is desired to place the heater in operation, the switch means is moved to closed position so as to close the circuit to the compressor motor, and to the trans former 52 for the ignitor 47. Air under pressure passing through the pipe 37, and through the aspirator nozzle 32, draws fuel through the pipe 34 from the fuel supply tank 1, so that oil and air under pressure is delivered through the aperture at the front end of the nozzle 32. The circuit to the electrical ignitors 47 being closed, an electric spark of sufficient intensity from the ignitors 47 will ignite the atomized fuel flowing through the tip of the nozzle 32.

After ignition of the fuel, the switch for the ignitor is opened. The blower 41 being in operation, air under the.

desired pressure is forced through and around the annular space between the inner shell 26 and the outer shell 16. Assuming that the ignitors 47 have ignited the atomized oil flowing through the aperture in the nozzle 32, a flame is projected forwardly to the left, as in FIG. 1, and the products of combustion and the hot gases move through the chamber 30 to the open end 70, at the lefthand end thereof, as in FIG. 1. The gases of combustion flow through the open end 70 to the closure 27 of the inner shell 26 and then reverse their direction of flow toward the rear, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1. The hot gases flow through the space between the inner shell 26 and the outer surface of the combustion chamber 3%}, and are diffused by the battles 60 in their passage to the exhaust 62 at the inner shell 26. The bafiies force said hot gases resulting from combustion to the heat eX.-

change surface, with the hot gases on one side of the surface and the air on the other side of the surface.

Such turbulation of the gases from combustion maintain them in a thoroughly mixed condition and at a relatively even temperature, and eliminate any Stratification of the gases which otherwise might occur. Such elimination of stratification of the gases of combustion prevents the wall of the combustion chamber 30 from operating at a higher temperature, and, hence, assures a longer life for the combustion chamber than would be otherwise possible. As heretofore noted, cold spots are eliminated in the heat exchanger, and my construction assures full utilization of the heat to the heat exchanger to provide maximum heat exchange to the air to be heated in the annular space between the inner shell 26 and the outer shell 16.

The modified structure shown in FIG. 4 operates in the same manner as that described for the form shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement as hereinafter set forth, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential features of my invention.

I claim:

1. A portable heater comprising an outer shell member having at its outer end a heated air discharge outlet means; an inner shell member within said outer shell member and in spaced relation therewith, said inner shell member having closure means integrally connected thereto at its forward and its rearward ends; a combustion shell member within said inner shell member and in spaced relation therewith, said combustion shell member having an open forward end through which heated gases of combustion are discharged into the forward end of said inner shell member and impinge against said closure means at the forward end of said inner shell member, said rearward closure means for said inner shell member also forming a rearward closure means for said combustion shell member; a firing head assembly rigidly connected to the rearward side of said rearward closure means for said inner shell member and said combustion shell member; a burner nozzle mounted in said firing head assembly, the forward end of said burner nozzle extending into the rearward end of said combustion shell member through an opening formed in said rearward closure means for said combustion shell member; means connecting said burner nozzle with a fuel tank source of supply positioned in closure proximity to said burner nozzle; power operated compressor means and blower means; means connecting air under pressure from said compressor means to said burner nozzle; means connecting the air outlet from said blower means to the space between the outer surface of said inner shell member and the inner surface of said outer shell member; an exhaust discharge means extending in fluid-tight relationship from said inner shell member and through said outer shell member, said exhaust discharge means being adapted to be connected by means to convey the exhaust from the combustion shell member to outer atmosphere; and bafile means at the outer surface of said combustion shell member, said baflle means extending into the space between combustion shell member and the inner surface of said inner shell member; whereby, when said heater is in operation, the heated combustion gases move forcibly through said open end of said combustion shell member and then reverse direction of How through the space between said combustion shell member and said inner shell member and passing over and around said bafiie means, and to said exhaust discharge means to atmosphere; and whereby, air to be heated from said blower means is heated by passing over the outer heat exchanger surface of said inner shell member, with said resultant heated air passing out through said discharge outlet means of said outer shell member.

2. A structure as in claim 1; wherein said outer shell 6 member is mounted in superimposed position on said fuel tank, and such complete structure is mounted at its rearward end on wheels and provided with handle means at both the forward and rearward ends, said forward handle means providing a ground support to maintain said complete structure in a substantially horizontal position on said wheels and said forward handle means when in contact with the ground.

3. A portable heater comprising a fuel tank; an outer shell member superimposed on said fuel tank and having at its outer end a heated air discharge outlet means; an inner shell member within said outer shell member and in spaced relation therewith, said inner shell member having closure means integrally connected thereto at its forward and its rearward ends; a combustion shell member within said inner shell member and in spaced relation therewith; said combustion shell member having an open forward end through which heated gases of combustion are dis charged into the forward end of said inner shell member and impinge against said closure means at the forward end of said inner shell member, said rearward closure means for said inner shell member also forming a rearward closure means for said combustion shell member; a firing head assembly rigidly connected to the rearward side of said rearward closure means for said inner shell member and said combustion shell member; an aspirator type burner nozzle mounted in said firing head assembly, the forward end of said aspirator burner nozzle extending into the rearward end of said combustion shell member through an opening formed in said rearward closure means for said combustion shell member; means connecting said aspirator type burner nozzle with said fuel tank source of supply; power operated compressor means and blower means; means connecting air under pressure from said compressor means to said aspirator type burner nozzle; means connecting the air outlet from said blower means to the space between the outer surface of said inner shell member and the inner surface of said outer shell member; an exhaust discharge means extending in fluid-tight relationship from said inner shell member and through said outer shell member, said exhaust discharge means be ing adapted to be connected by means to convey the ex haust from the combustion shell member to outer atmosphere; and baffle means at the outer surface of said combustion shell member, said baflle means extending into the space between combustion shell member and the inner surface of said inner shell member; whereby, when said heater is in operation, the heated combustion gases move forcibly through said open end of said combustion shell member and then reverse direction of flow through the space between said combustion shell member and said inner shell member and passing over and around said bafiie means, and to said exhaust discharge means to atmosphere; and whereby, air to be heated from said blower means is heated by passing over the outer heat exchanger surface of said inner shell member, with said resultant heated air passing out through said discharge ou-tlet means of said outer shell member.

4. A portable heater comprising a fuel tank; an outer shell member superimposed on said fuel tank and having at its outer end a heated air discharge outlet means; an inner shell member within said outer shell member and in spaced relation therewith, said inner shell member having closure means integrally connected thereto at its forward and its rearward ends; a combustion shell member within said inner shell member and in spaced relation therewith; said combustion shell member having an open forward end through which heated gases of combustion are discharged into the forward end of said inner shell member and impinge against said closure means at the forward end of said inner shell member, said rearward closure means for said inner shell member also forming a rearward closure means for said combustion shell member; a firing head assembly rigidly connected to the rearward side of said rearward closure means 'for said inner shell member means connecting the air outlet from said blower means to the space between the outer surface of said inner shell member and the inner surface of said outer shell member; an exhaust discharge means extending in fluid-tight relationship from said inner shell member and through said outer shell member, said exhaust discharge means being adapted to be connected by means to convey the exhaust from the combustion shell member to outer atmosphere; flanged ring bafiie means rigidly mounted on the outer surface of said combustion shell member, said flanged ring baffle means extending into the space between combustion shell member and the inner surface of said inner shell member; a transformer; means connecting an electrical source of supply to said transformer and to said motor operatively connected to said compressor and to said blower; and igriitor means positioned in close proximity to said aspirator burner nozzle, said ignitor means being connected to said transformer; whereby, when said heater is 8 in operation, the heated combustion gases move forcibly through said open end of said combustion shell member and then reverse direction of flow through the space between said combustion shell member and said inner shell member and passing over and around said flanged ring bafiie means, and to said exhaust discharge means to atmosphere; and whereby, air to be heated from said blower means is heated by passing over the outer heat exchanger surface of said inner shell member, with said resultant heated air passing out through said discharge outlet means of said outer shell member.

5. A structure as in claim 4; wherein the complete structure is mounted at its rearward end on wheels, and provided with handle means at both the forward and rearward ends, said forward handle means providing a ground support to maintain said complete structure in a substantially horizontal position on said wheels and said forward handle means when in contact with the ground.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,684,668 7/1954 Culp et al 1261 10 3,189,017 6/1965 Hahn l26l10 X 3,319,947 5/1967 Truesdell 126-110 X JAMES W. WESTHAVER, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PORTABLE HEATER COMPRISING AN OUTER SHELL MEMBER HAVING AT ITS OUTER END A HEATED AIR DISCHARGE OUTLET MEANS; AN INNER SHELL MEMBER WITHIN SAID OUTER SHELL MEMBER AND IN SPACED RELATION THEREWITH, SAID INNER SHELL MEMBER HAVING CLOSURE MEANS INTEGRELLY CONNECTED THERETO AT ITS FORWARD AND ITS REARWARD ENDS; A COMBUSTION SHELL MEMBER WITHIN SAID INNER SHELL MEMBER AND IN SPACED RELATION THEREWITH, SAID COMBUSTION SHELL MEMBER HAVING AN OPEN FORWARD END THROUGH WHICH HEATED GASES OF COMBUSTION ARE DISCHARGED INTO THE FORWARD END OF SAID INNER SHELL MEMBER AND IMPINGE AGAINST SAID CLOSURE MEANS AT THE FORWARD END OF SAID INNER SHELL MEMBER, SAID REARWARD CLOSURE MEANS FOR SAID INNER SHELL MEMBER ALSO FORMING A REARWARD CLOSURE MEANS FOR SAID COMBUSTION SHELL MEMBER; A FIRING HEAD ASSEMBLY RIGIDLY CONNECTED TO THE REARWARD SIDE OF SAID REARWARD CLOSURE MEANS FOR SAID INNER SHELL MEMBER AND SAID COMBUSTION SHELL MEMBER; A BURNER NOZZLE MOUNTED IN SAID FIRING HEAD ASSEMBLY, THE FORWARD END OF SAID BURNER NOZZLE EXTENDING INTO THE REARWARD END OF SAID COMBUSTION SHELL MEMBER THROUGH AN OPENING FORMED IN SAID REARWARD CLOSURE MEANS FOR SAID COMBUSTION SHELL MEMBER; MEANS CONNECTING SAID BURNER NOZZLE WITH A FUEL TANK SOURCE OF SUPPLY POSITIONED IN CLOSURE PROXIMITY TO SAID BURNER NOZZLE; POWER OPERATED COMPRESSOR MEANS AND BLOWER MEANS; MEANS CONNECTING AIR UNDER PRESSURE FROM SAID COMPRESSOR MEANS TO SAID BURNER NOZZLE; MEANS CONNECTING THE AIR OUTLET FROM SAID BLOWER MEANS TO THE SPACE BETWEEN THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID INNER SHELL MEMBER AND THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID OUTER SHELL MEMBER; AN EXHAUST DISCHARGE MEANS EXTENDING IN FLUID-TIGHT RELATIONSHIP FROM SAID INNER SHELL MEMBER AND THROUGH SAID OUTER SHELL MEMBER, SAID EXHAUST DISCHARGE MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED BY MEANS TO CONVEY THE EXHAUST FROM THE COMBUSTION SHELL MEMBER TO OUTER ATMOSPHERE; AND BAFFLE MEANS AT THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID COMBUSTION SHELL MEMBER, SAID BAFFLE MEANS EXTENDING INTO THE SPACE BETWEEN COMBUSTION SHELL MEMBER AND THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID INNER SHELL MEMBER; WHEREBY, WHEN SAID HEATER IS IN OPERATION, THE HEATER COMBUSTION GASES MOVE FORCIBLY THROUGH SAID OPEN END OF SAID COMBUSTION SHELL MEMBER AND THEN REVERSE DIRECTION OF FLOW THROUGH THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID COMBUSTION SHELL MEMBER AND SAID INNER SHELL MEMBER AND PASSING OVER AND AROUND SAID BAFFLE MEANS, AND TO SAID EXHAUST DISCHARGE MEANS TO ATMOSPHERE; AND WHEREBY, AIR TO BE HEATED FROM SAID BLOWER MEANS IS HEATED BY PASSING OVER THE OUTER HEAT EXCHANGER SURFACE OF SAID INNER SHELL MEMBER, WITH SAID RESULTANT HEATED AIR PASSING OUT THROUGH SAID DISCHARGE OUTLET MEANS OF SAID OUTER SHELL MEMBER. 